Whilst the jury is still out on the “good leaders are born not made” argument, and certainly some people are naturally gifted at leadership, skills can be learnt and improved for most people that are promoted into a management position.
For new managers taking on the role, the leadership of a team can seem to be overwhelming but these simple tips will help you get to grips with your new position in no time.
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- Collaboration
To get the most of a team you needs to ensure that you collaborate with them. This requires an excellent level of communication on your part, your team cannot act effectively if they do not know what they should be doing. Good teamwork comes from building confidence in your team members so that they can be active participants. - Honesty
Honesty is one of the the key ways for your team to build trust in you, you cannot lead an effective team if they do not trust you. Ensure you always follow through on promises and always tell the truth, not matter how hard it may be. Honesty will build integrity in your team and an openness that will allow your team to collaborate effectively. - Awareness
A good leader must have awareness of their team’s needs and requirements. Flexibility is a key requirement and works wonders with any team, as long as it is fair. Awareness will help you to understand your team better, learn what drives them and find the best ways to get the most from them. Awareness helps you to be more accepting and open to feedback from others and to listen to other’s ideas. - Progression
Progression is important for most team members as it provides motivation and something to work towards. Provide quality mentoring for your team members, remember your skills are important and should be passed on to others. Appropriate training can get your team members skilled in new areas and improve the quality of their work. - Inclusion
It is vital to include your team members, careful delegation will not only help yourself out by reducing your workload, but also provide your team members with valuable experience. Ask team members for their opinions and include them in the decision making process. This will help to strengthen the relationship between yourself, your employee and the company that you work for.